Reviews

Boo by Neil Smith

mountie9's review against another edition

4.0

Excellent novel, not perfect, but so close. I think the author just took on too much and it takes it a little away from what could have been perfection. The story is full of damaged, unique characters and a truly intriguing premise. There is some wonderfully done dark humour and some wonderful insights into growing up, bullying, and forgiveness. I was also a tad confused on a certain plot point which I cannot go into as it would be a serious spoiler. I also felt it lacked a proper ending and would have liked a little more explanation of why heaven is designed this way. But I am a simple girl and prefer when a storyline wraps up and questions are answered.

Favourite Quotes

"What I need is the kind of intelligence that helps me understand why a boy might walk into a school and start shooting a gun, why one victim might forgive this boy, and why another never will."

"In any case, do we ever really let anyone go? Even those who are no longer with us, are still with us."

megantee's review against another edition

4.0

Very good book. Lots of twists and turns and gives an interesting point of view from a 13 year old boy who has recently died and arrived in heaven. Very well written and brings the plot out well.

seiyuudreams's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Suicide

armadillos_digging_holes's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

_hanna's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely fantastic. I had the opportunity to hear Neil Smith talk about it during the Vancouver Writers Fest, bought it immediately, and devoured it. It's clever and imaginative, and managed to keep you constantly off-balance. It'd also been a while since I'd read a book with such a strong emotional journey for the characters--I tend to read a lot of literary fiction, where the emotional changes are a really slow burn. But the emotions in this hit fast, hard, and are always genuine. Easily one of my favourite books I've read this year.

ellaandcoffee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, and Murder

raposisses's review against another edition

4.0

I had figured out what the final plot twist would be, but I'm still left shaking from the ending. That final build-up was nerve-wracking - when i say i was shaking, I'm really not being hyperbolic - and when the final reveal finally happened, even if i knew what was coming, it was still a punch in the gut. The beginning of this book was light(-ish), but from the middle onwards it was brutal, geez. Amazing story.

elemandoline's review

3.0

3.5

hjmo's review against another edition

3.0

There is something disingenuous about having your narrator be a thirteen-year-old but making him a genius so you can still write in his voice like an adult and then making him emotionally detached to boot. Look I liked the idea of this story exploring the afterlife and solving your own murder. I liked some of the world building of that afterlife and the questions posed but never quite answered was intriguing. The twists weren't terribly surprising but they were emotionally poignant.
It's well written and an enjoyable read.

Oh and I was very annoyed that in 2015 the author couldn't be bothered to accurately represent the beliefs of Mormons. Doubly annoying that one of the characters was supposedly Mormon while alive and repeating the inaccurate half-truths that a wikipedia search would have cleared up.

donnakayhall's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely brilliant author and a unique, unusual book that entranced me from the first sentence. This is one of those stories that will stay with me long after reading. One of the best books I have read in a while. Highly recommend!